WEBVTT REPORTER: ROB, THE DISTRICT SAYS SINCLAIR DID NOT CONSULT WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT A LIST OF "NOT ACCEPTABLE HOLIDAY PRACTICES AT THE SCHOOL." HERE’S SOME OF THE ITEMS ON THE LIST. THINGS LIKE SANTAS ON WORKSHEETS OR CHRISTMAS TREES IN CLASSROOMS, SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS, IMAGES OF REINDEER. ALSO, CANDY CANES, OR MAKING A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT AS A GIFT. INSTEAD, THE MEMO OUTLINED A LIST OF ACCEPTABLE PRACTICES. THIS INCLUDES SNOW PEOPLE, SNOW FLAKES, HOT CHOCOLATE, POLAR BEARS AND PENGUINS. AN INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM FOCUSED ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ASKED THE DISTRICT TO REVERSE THE PRINCIPAL’S BAN AND THE DISTRICT AGREED. A SPOKESPERSON TOLD US THE DISTRICT RECEIVED A NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH CONCERNS. TODAY, THE DISTRICT TOLD US IT "PROMPTLY ADDRESSED THE MEMO AND THAT IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE POLICY OF ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS REGARDING HOLIDAY SYMBOLS IN THE SCHOOL." I DID SPEAK WITH THE FOUNDER OF THE LIBERTY COUNSEL WHO TELLS ME THEY WERE PREPARED TO FILE SUIT IF THE DISTRICT DIDN’T TAKE ACTION. >> IT’S FRANKLY SHOCKING, IT’S THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS CHRISTMAS RESTRICTION THAT WE’VE EVERY SEEN IN OUR HISTORY AND WE’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR MANY YEARS. REPORTER: NO PARENTS WOULD SPEAK TO US ON CAMERA WHEN SCHOOL LE OUT TODAY. BUT SOME DID TELL ME THEY WANT TO SUPPORT PRINCIPAL SINCLAIR AND SHE MADE A MISTAKE. WE’RE TOLD SINCLAIR IS NEW TO MANCHESTER ELEMENTARY. THERE IS NO WORD TONIGHT HOW LONG SHE COULD BE ON LEAVE. THE SCHOOL HAD NO FURTHER COMMENT ON THAT TODAY. REPO

The principal of Manchester Elementary in Elkhorn, Nebraska, is on administrative leave after sending a directive to staff to ban certain religious Christmas decorations in the classrooms.District spokesperson Kara Perchal said Jennifer Sinclair is a new principal and did not consult with administrators about school policy concerning the handling of religious holiday themes.The organization, Liberty Counsel got wind of the principal's memo and sent a demand letter to the superintendent of Elkhorn Public Schools asking the district to lift the Christmas ban.The list of "not acceptable" practices include:Santas or Christmas items (clipart) on worksheetsChristmas trees in classroomsElf on the Shelf - that’s Christmas-relatedSinging Christmas CarolsPlaying Christmas musicSending a Scholastic book that is a Christmas book - that’s Christmas-relatedMaking a Christmas ornament as a gift - This assumes that the family has a Christmas tree which assumes they celebrate Christmas. I challenge the thought of, ‘Well they can just hang it somewhere else.’Candy Cane - that’s Christmas-related. Historically, the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection. This would also include different colored candy canes.Red/Green items - traditional Christmas colorsReindeerChristmas videos/movies and/or characters from Christmas movies” (emphasis added)The principal’s “acceptable” list included:Gifts to studentsSnowmen, snow women, snow people Snowflakes Gingerbread people Holidays Around the World Sledding Hot chocolate Polar BearsPenguins Scarves, boots, earmuffs, and hats “Yetis” and “Olaf” (the snowman from the movie Frozen.)Perchal said Sinclair's memo "did not reflect district policy." She sent us this statement:"Elkhorn Public Schools District administration promptly addressed the issue at Manchester Elementary School regarding the memo that was sent by the principal to Manchester elementary staff. The memo does not reflect the policy of Elkhorn Public Schools regarding holiday symbols in the school. The District has since clarified expectations and provided further direction to staff in alignment with District policy. This issue was limited to Manchester Elementary School and did not arise at any other schools within the District."Perchal said, "As of this morning, Principal Sinclair has been placed on administrative leave. Due to the fact that this is an ongoing personnel issue, the District cannot comment further."Perchal also said the district is receiving a "high volume" of phone calls from people with "concerns." She said the calls do not rise to the level of hate calls or threats and police have not been called.However, in an email to parents the district said, "As an added safety measure and in an act of extreme precaution, Officer Miller will be present at the school throughout the coming days."

OMAHA, Neb. —

The principal of Manchester Elementary in Elkhorn, Nebraska, is on administrative leave after sending a directive to staff to ban certain religious Christmas decorations in the classrooms.

District spokesperson Kara Perchal said Jennifer Sinclair is a new principal and did not consult with administrators about school policy concerning the handling of religious holiday themes.

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The organization, Liberty Counsel got wind of the principal's memo and sent a demand letter to the superintendent of Elkhorn Public Schools asking the district to lift the Christmas ban.

The list of "not acceptable" practices include:

Santas or Christmas items (clipart) on worksheets

Christmas trees in classrooms

Elf on the Shelf - that’s Christmas-related

Singing Christmas Carols

Playing Christmas music

Sending a Scholastic book that is a Christmas book - that’s Christmas-related

Making a Christmas ornament as a gift - This assumes that the family has a Christmas tree which assumes they celebrate Christmas. I challenge the thought of, ‘Well they can just hang it somewhere else.’

Candy Cane - that’s Christmas-related. Historically, the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus. The red is for the blood of Christ, and the white is a symbol of his resurrection. This would also include different colored candy canes.

"Elkhorn Public Schools District administration promptly addressed the issue at Manchester Elementary School regarding the memo that was sent by the principal to Manchester elementary staff. The memo does not reflect the policy of Elkhorn Public Schools regarding holiday symbols in the school. The District has since clarified expectations and provided further direction to staff in alignment with District policy. This issue was limited to Manchester Elementary School and did not arise at any other schools within the District."

Perchal said, "As of this morning, Principal Sinclair has been placed on administrative leave. Due to the fact that this is an ongoing personnel issue, the District cannot comment further."

Perchal also said the district is receiving a "high volume" of phone calls from people with "concerns." She said the calls do not rise to the level of hate calls or threats and police have not been called.

However, in an email to parents the district said, "As an added safety measure and in an act of extreme precaution, Officer Miller will be present at the school throughout the coming days."